Boat accident Saturday, be careful.

[Jmax]

I was driving by the Wolf Saturday and saw Tow Boat over at the ramp working on a boat. I did not know at the time what had happened. Later on I was told that someone had gone fishing that morning. Came in and drove their boat up on their trailer but did not hook it up. I have seen lots of folks do this and often thought that was an accident waiting to happen. Well, it happened to that unfortunate sole that afternoon. It would appear that they thought the normal way of doing this was alright but did not take into account the low temps had apparently froze the running boards on their trailer, when they took out of the water the boat just slid right off. emoEek It was a nice bass boat that came crashing down onto the ramp. Tow boat was there trying to minimize the damage and get it back on the trailer.

This time of year especially you need to be careful about the trailer sticking to the boat upon launch and making sure you leave the boat connected until you are in the water or at least right at it. Usually if you launch your boat and let the trailer defrost a little in the water the trailer will release from your boat after the water warms it up. However the trailer will refreeze if the temps are cold enough so take the time to connect the trailer up before pulling it out. Taking a little extra care can keep you from getting hurt as well as your stuff. emoGeezer Jmax

 

[takenoprisoners]

Bummer. And thanks for the reminder.

 

[south599]

Yep I have seen countless people usually with nice boats just put it on the trailer and not hook it up before driving up the ramp. Also if you have a 2 wheel drive vehicle dont forget to check the ramp for ice before backing down. I got lucky the day I didnt and the ice melted by the time I came back to load the boat. Left some nice black marks from from getting up the ramp that morning!

 

[Hook1]

My boat came off the trailer that way at Wolftever. I usually had my partner pull out and it worked good at other ramps but I guess the Wolf is a tad bit steeper. Partner pulled up and the boat moved back. By the time I got him stopped it was on the hull and the bow was in the air! Luckily motor was trimmed way up and some nice folks helped me winch the boat back onto the trailer while we backed the truck up at the same time. This is one time I'm glad I dont have a big heavy glass boat!

 

[bronzeback45]

I seen it and talked to the guys. Bunk rails were frozen and boat slid off. It ripped off the geloat around drain plug. Luckily they had motor trimmed up. It was pretty neat watching towboat lift the boat with airbags.

 

[Javelin33]

It makes me nervous backing it down with the winch undone. Ill stop doing that until it warms up, I've never understood why people don't take the time to attach it.

 

[brushhog]

been releasing winch at bottom of the ramp for 25 years,never had a issue

 

[Strato-G]

emoBang emoScratch Cold weather brings on a complete different set of ramp rules for launching........ emoEek its slick, emoSorry cannot stop, emoDoh can't believe I just did that, emoPlease need help & no one around, emoBadLanguage dumb luck due to weather...... :emoticon: going home with head hanging low, that was a new experience..........be safe............. emoGeezer emoUSA

 

[bluewingjb]

Seems there are quite a few people who either dont hook up until away from the ramp or disconnect before backing down when there are all alone. I have seen several do this and their boat slides off the trailer and just floats away... I always hook up before pulling out of the water and wait to completely unhook until in the water when I am alone.. I do loosen the winch some but leave it hooked until I am climbing in the pull off the trailer..